France winning 2018 World Cup proves they’re last 20 years best team

No team has reached more finals and of course didn’t win more World Cup than France in last 20 years. France reached the final thrice in last 20 years and wins it twice. They beat Croatia in 2018’s World Cup final on Sunday at Luzhniki Stadium to lift their second World Cup, and proved that they’re last 20 years best team.

France were of course favourite after every other historic team were eliminated before reaching the final, but Croatia have won heart at this World Cup. It would have been a disrespect to rule them out, but again it’s a World Cup final. Vatreni were playing their first ever World Cup final and the pressure must have been huge to put a stamp on world map, but at the end they fell short.

Les Bleus have a lucky start as they got their first goal from Antoine Griezmann’s free-kick put into the net by Mario Mandzukic’s deflected header resulting in an own goal. Ivan Perisic bringing in his best at the right moment earned Croatia equalizer as he did it in semifinal against England, but Inter Milan winger soon become villain handling a ball from France’s corner.

VAR has delivered very good result in their World Cup debut, but they have brought the shortcomings when judging human’s deliberate fault or genuine mistake. Perisic was the victim this time as his hand touched the ball into the penalty area and Argentinean referee points to the penalty after watching the video recap thrice. Griezmann converted coolly from the spot to give France lead.

Croatia did have comeback after conceding first in their last three games and they did come back again, but each time they only conceded once. They have conceded here twice. It was difficult to get past this rigid French defence who have shown their class managing so far their one goal lead in their last two matches.

France was leading 2-1 in first-half, but Croatia’s urgency in second-half allowed France to capitalize. Kylian Mbappe was once again orchestrated the show with his sheer speed. First he played one two with Paul Pogba, who made his day with his left-footed attempt from outside of the box from a loose ball. Then six minutes later, Mbappe himself produces a stunner from half-way the pitch in Croatia’s half.

Mbappe become the second player after Pele to score in a World Cup final as a teenager. Pele did it in 1958 as a 17-year-old against Sweden, then Mbappe did it at the age of 19 for France.

Croatia have no way to bounce back from 4-1 with 25 minutes left on the clock. Mandzukic did pushes himself to amend his previous mistake and earned a goal himself snatching the ball from French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but it was the end of the story.

Lloris must be ashamed of his mistake, but he must be happy to lift the World Cup as France captain. It also made French coach Didier Deschamps the third man in history to win the World Cup as a player and a coach for his country. Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer were the other two legends of the game.

France victory was simply sensational as they don’t want to be on losing end in second major tournament in a row. They were favourite at Euro 2016 but they lose in very different fashion in final against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Les Bleus couldn’t have afford to lose another final and Croatia made their way easy.

Croatia didn’t deserve that. They were better side but this day belonged to France. Les Bleus proved that they’re the best national side of the 21st century. They have reached the World Cup final thrice and won it twice in last six World Cup’s campaign. None of the team can match their feat and they can soon find their place on top of FIFA rankings. Congratulations Les Bleus… Vive le Republic.